Description

The Chemistry Book shows how chemistry helps explain our world. It looks at matter: what things are made of. It traces more than 95 key ideas and events worldwide. These range from early atomic theory to polyethylene. They also cover new methods for COVID-19 vaccines. The book asks what makes up the universe. How does matter form? Which chemical bonds make life possible?

This guide uses pictures to help explain its ideas. It suits those new to the subject and science students. It also suits readers who follow science news and debates. Chapters move through time. Short articles show how ideas changed. They cover the elements and geochemistry, the chemistry of Earth. They show links with other natural and physical sciences.

The book looks at work by John Dalton. It also covers Marie Curie and Dmitri Mendeleev. Readers meet Kathleen Lonsdale and Stephanie Kwolek too. Quotes come from chemists and thinkers in other fields. Some won Nobel prizes. These include Curie, Linus Pauling, and Osamu Shimomura.

Flowcharts and mind maps help explain the ideas. Changes in type help too. A directory helps readers find facts in the book. This book is part of the Big Ideas series.